Has your baby reached 10 months of age already? If so, you may be a bit surprised at how quickly time is passing. It is important for you to make sure that your baby is growing and developing appropriately. That means you need to be aware of some of the developmental milestones your baby is going to reach. What do you need to know about a baby that is 10 months old? Remember that your baby needs to keep up with his or her well-child checks so that your local pediatrician to make sure that they is on track.
Weight and Size at 10 Months
Your baby will continue to grow quickly at 10 months of age. The average girl weighs approximately 19 lb. by 10 months, and boys on average weigh just over 20 lb. by 10 months of age. The length for girls are generally closer to 28 inches long, while boys are closer to 29 inches long. Remember that babies at this age are measured in length instead of height because they cannot yet stand up. Even though you want to see how your baby compares to other children, it is more important for your baby to be on track with his or her own development. Your baby needs a track along his or her own growth curve. That is how you know they is developing appropriately.
Development of the Senses
Your baby’s senses are also going to change quickly at this age. For example, your baby is not only going to hear many sounds, but they should be able to recognize these noises. As your baby’s memory continues to grow and develop, they is going to recognize familiar faces. They may recognize family members such as mother, father, siblings, and even a few friends. Your baby might even recognize family pets.
Motor skills are also going to develop at this age. For example, your baby is going to recognize a lot of familiar toys. If you place a rattle in your baby’s hand, they should know to shake it. Your baby may also know what to do with several other items. Your baby might even be able to pick things up using his or her thumb and pointer finger. This is usually called a pincer grasp. You might even realize that your baby is able to string syllables together.
At this age, your baby should be able to sit without support. They may even be able to hold this position for several minutes on end. At 10 months, your baby should also be crawling easily. Some babies know how to pull themselves to a stand and use objects to cruise around the room. You may notice that your baby is able to do that.
Feeding at 10 Months
By 10 months of age, your baby should be eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grains. If you are introducing new foods and to your child’s diet, make sure that you introduce them one at a time. This is important for making sure that you spot any allergies that your baby might have. If your baby is still drinking formula and breast milk, that is okay. They should, generally, be consuming between 24 oz and 30 ounces per day. Your child should also be eating close to 1/2 cup of fruits, veggies, and grains every day. Make sure they are getting plenty of protein as well, as this is important for developing lean muscle.
Bathroom and Bowel Habits
Your child should be going to the bathroom regularly. For example, your 10-month-old should have multiple wet diapers every day. These are probably going to take place after your child eats or drinks or something. Even though the vast majority of babies are going to have one bowel movement every day, it is okay if your child goes a few days between bowel movements. Make sure the stool is nice and soft. Some children can begin to hold it in, which causes it to compact, causing pain when they do have a bowel movement.
Coughing at 10 Months
Your baby is probably going to develop a cough from time to time. Even though coughing can be normal, you also need to understand when this is a potential sign of another issue. If your child has a fever with his or her cough, then there may be a chance that they may have an upper respiratory infection. If your child is coughing immediately after eating, then this could be a sign of acid reflux. If you are concerned about a cough that your child has developed, it is important for you to reach out to your pediatrician for more information.
Sleep Schedule
By 10 months of age, your child should be sleeping through the night. This is probably going to be a welcome change of pace for you, as you can now sleep through the night as well. A lot of babies at this age usually sleep for 11 straight hours during the night. Your child is probably taking two naps during the day as well. You should expect these naps to add up to approximately three hours. As your child continues to get older, you should expect these naps to get shorter.
Emotional Milestones at 10 Months
By 10 months of age, your child should be interacting with many people and animals in the room. Your child is probably going to recognize your face and will light up when you walk in the room. They may also develop an attachment to certain objects, such as a blanket, which are usually referred to as security objects. Your baby may even recognize some of the songs that you play on the radio. You may even notice that your baby is mimicking a lot of your actions. This is a sign that your baby’s memory is starting to improve.
Have Questions, or Need an Appointment for Your Baby? Contact North Texas Medical Center Today!
It is important for you to make sure that your child is growing and developing well. That is why you need to take your child to the pediatrician on a regular basis. If you are looking for a trained doctor who can take care of your baby, it would be our pleasure to help you. We are North Texas Medical Center, and we provide you with access to some of the top medical experts in the region. Contact us today to make an appointment!
